(12-08-2017 11:43 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  The potential for ESPN to acquire those properties is perhaps the most fascinating development in realignment in recent memory. At least, it is to me.

They'd essentially own the Big 12's 3rd tier rights all the way around. The potential for acquiring the PAC's rights would skyrocket, I think. There's even potential for getting the BTN one day.

Especially considering how much content ESPN owns that isn't P5, they could really have a nice platform to utilize it in markets across the country that would care about it. That's as opposed to their typical approach of making every game a national event. Check out WatchESPN at any given time and see the ridiculous number of games they have available.

Purely from a standpoint of distribution, I would hope though that they bring a little more organization to the RSN system though. FOX is always pretty haphazard with everything they do while ESPN could squeeze it for what it's worth.

The question will be for ESPN, given their extensive platform, what realignment moves make the most sense for the bottom line?

If they own pretty much everything then that could change the equation...

I could see them buying the FOX portion of the Big 10 out. I still have my doubts about the PAC. Here's why. The two most populated areas of the country are in bed before the PAC finishes and ESPN leases half of that property which is ample to cover the slots they require. What's more is ESPN is responsible or 0% of the overhead there. It's the cheapest product lease for them possible. Why buy the cow when you already get the milk?

Where I agree is that it would make final moves to 16 or 18 member conferences very manageable in house, so to speak.

There are some interesting twists however that might arise from the PAC, it's low viewership numbers, and it's lack of desire to change, and their recalcitrance in selling a piece of their network for distribution. One way around all of that would be enticing PAC members to leave.

Colorado would make a fine Big 10 school.

Utah and the two Arizona's would not be out of the question for an expanding Big 12.

Would U.S.C. and U.C.L.A. be interested in moving too? If the monetizing of the LHN being converted into a Big 12 Network is high enough then perhaps. If the PAC suddenly dropped down to 7 members they would have a year to grow or go. Stanford, Washington, Oregon, and Cal could make a transition to the Big 10. If Colorado made the move as well then perhaps Utah takes them to 20. Brigham Young and Colorado State then round out a Big 12 move to 16. Toss in New Mexico and West Virginia is off off to the SEC or ACC.

If however the PAC does come on board then the parsing of the Big 12 is finally possible.

Would the SEC take Oklahoma and O.S.U. to get to 16 and the Big 10 take Iowa State and Kansas to do the same if we were moving to a Champ's only model?

Would West Virginia join Notre Dame to round out the ACC since N.D.'s access otherwise would be at an end?

Would Texas, Texas Tech, T.C.U. and KState head to the PAC for more carriage and the promise of a more equitable payout for the PAC?

I think maybe so. But we'll see. However I do agree the variables were just multiplied and the end of realignment is in sight if ESPN does wind up with the PAC.